It’s a long weekend (and a holiday for some folks). I have a sugar hangover and I’m spending my morning watching YouTube videos and trying to motivate myself to go on a long run before sunset. Continue reading
Last night, during Nuit Blanche, Nike led an amazing Art of Running exhibit. 30 runners – me and Husband included – took to the streets in the Nike Vapor Flash Running Jacket. This is the most amazing running jacket I have ever worn. To put that comment in perspective, I currently have seven running jackets in my closet.
Disclaimer: I’m not just saying that it’s the most amazing running jacket I have ever worn because Nike Continue reading
After years of saying just do it, Nike finally did it. Continue reading
Posted in The Gear Junkie
Tagged exercise, fitness, gear, health, marathon, Nike, running, running shoes
No, this isn’t me and Husband. Although I have experienced “The Dunking”. Usually with snow on tree branches.
Enjoy the weather.
Title Reference: Justin Timberlake - Cry Me a River. 2002.
I borrowed this image from dancesingflosstravel.wordpress.com
Friday night I was invited to a Lululemon Run Design Meeting. They invited 10 or so local runners to a meet with the Design Director to get feedback on what runners want in running clothes. Husband and I were among the participants. Imagine, asking runners what they want to wear. If they use the same tactics with yoga folks I think I know why the company has a monopoly on Toronto-area yoga class apparel.
As my athletic wardrobe is dominated by two brands, Lululemon and Nike, I was keen to participate. Most of the group members seemed to be serious recreational runners – not elite, but beyond the 5K fundraiser. Marathoners, Ironman triathletes, and people for who health and fitness is their career and not just a hobby. But not elite runners, which is also important. Sure Paula Radcliff and I are likely to have some overlapping needs, but some that extra hour I spend running my marathon can make or break a pair of shorts with an ill-placed pocket.
Jill, the Design Director, came in from Vancouver to lead the session. It helped that she is a runner, so she could easily relate our feedback to her own experiences and you could see her design wheels turning as we chatted. I think a designer who actually participates in the sport for which they are designing gear makes a difference. That top may work on the runway, but 42.2K is a lot longer than the catwalk on America’s Next Top Model. We spent about 90 minutes giving feedback on the hits and misses of designs past. We answered questions about our favourite articles of clothing, gear accessories we’d like to use, and gaps in the market.
Like Goldilocks, Husband is desperately seeking shorts that are not too short (thigh high) and not too long (knee-length). It’s a surprising hole in the men’s market. I grow weary of over-designed gear with hooks for 27 attachments and enough pockets for a multi-day expedition. Simplicity was my mantra. Lululemon’s mantras are posted left. What did you do today that scares you?
Title Reference: U2 – Lemon. 1993
My name is Runshorts and it’s been four days since my last run. According to the 12-step groups, step one is admitting I am powerless over my sloth. Step two, finding inspiration in someone else. Someone else named Simon Whitfield. I think two steps will be enough.
Simon, for those of you who do not already have an Olympic-sized crush on him, won triathlon gold in 2000 and silver in 2008. Both were edge-of-your-seat-yell-at-the-tv finishes. I squealed, yes squealed, with delight when he tossed his hat during the 2008 Olympic race and charged to the finish.
Running royalty often drops by the Nike Runner’s Lounge for a motivational boost. Occasionally they run. I take great pleasure in beating the world’s best runners to the “finish line”. I revel in the day I can tell my hypothetical grandchildren that I outran Simon Whitfield. Nevermind that he was out for an easy jog and I puked at the end. By the time I have hypothetical grandchildren I’ll be too old to remember those unimportant details. I don’t know if Simon is running with us tonight (he’s in town for the Cross Country Championships, so I suspect he won’t lace up), but in my daydream we run together. And I beat him. And then he develops a wee crush on my running magnificence.
Flashback to Sydney 2000:
Title Reference: Kenny Rogers – The Gambler. From the album the Gambler. 1978.
Posted in Celebrity Sneakers, Running Tids & Bits
It was only twenty-five years ago today when women ran their first Olympic Marathon. At 8 am on August 5, 1984 fifty competitors from twenty-eight countries started the race. Forty-four of them finished in the hot and muggy conditions. As the only distance option for women over 3000 metres, the field included not just marathon specialists, but 5000 metre and 10000 metre runners (those races were denied entry that same year). Joan Benoit won the foot race in an impressive 2.24.52 9 (at the time the third faster women’s finish ever). She surged ahead of the pack fourteen minutes into the race and extended that lead to over one and a half minutes before she crossed the finish line. The lone figure with the big grin extending a victorious hat wave to the crowd is one of the most memorable moments in marathon history. Almost prophetically, a huge Nike mural depicting her 1983 Boston win greeted Benoit before she made her final entrance into the stadium. Her strong entrance into the stadium, which she half expected to be empty (it was packed with 77,000 spectators), was picture perfect. Benoit was followed by a tight pack of seven runners who all crossed the finish line under 2.30.00 (the top Canadian finished 8th in 2.29.09). That group of seven included legendary marathoners Grete Waitz, Rosa Mota, and Ingrid Kristiansen. The women allayed any lingering doubts that the marathon was too arduous for women (not a single uterus fell out!) and vindicated a long-fought battle for acceptance of women’s distance running on an Olympic stage. Among this show of power, 37th place finisher Gabriela Andersen-Schiess from Switzerland dragging herself the final 400 metres to the finish line is an image few will forget. Despite suffering from severe heat exhaustion she denied herself medical assistance knowing that aid meant disqualification. With a wildly contorted torso and a stumbling stiff-legged gait she staggered across the finish line before collapsing into the arms of the medics. A new era of women’s running had begun.
I was a wee little tot, but I still remember watching the race. View it again or see it for the first time (clip #1 includes Benoit’s win and #2 Anderson’s heroic finish):
Title Reference: A Joan Benoit-Samuelson quote.
Running isn’t rocket science. Or is it? I love running shoes the way Carrie Bradshaw loves her Manolo Blahniks. Over the last couple of weeks I’ve had the opportunity to test drive the new Nike LunarGlide+. Or, as like to call them, moon shoes. I just discovered that way back in 1972 Nike unveiled a “Moon Shoe” with the trademark waffle sole. I’m never an original.
The LunarGlide+ is an old idea with very new technology. The innovative shoe aims to bridge the cushioning and stability category with a “Design Support System” that adjusts to each step, providing cushioning and/or support as needed. This interests me because I have a neutral footstrike until I fatigue, at which point I am prone (ha) to moderate pronation. I’m not the only one. Foot needs tend to vary over the course of a run and the LunarGlide+ is designed to meet those ever changing needs. The technology that allows this kind of adapting is, literally, rocket science. Nike has been borrowing from space techs for a long time. The LunarLite material was developed by the aerospace industry and modified by Nike with the goal of developing a soft foam that returned energy. The light foam core sits in a firmer foam carriage. The foam core will engage a stabilizing rear-foot wedge carved into the carriage if and when a runner over-pronates, otherwise the the wedge will not engage. It’s on demand stability. The foam also provides a cushioned landing with high energy return. The result is an oxymoron: a responsive cushioning shoe. My Nike Lunar Trainers have the same technology, but with less bounce. The women’s model has extra foam, creating a softer shoe. The shoe also features Flywire threads, like cables on a suspension bridge, that reduce shoe weight while still providing lots of support. These threads are apparently stronger than steel. A lightweight stability shoe is hard to find. LunarLite and Flywire technology were both introduced in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics and were an immediate hit when Nike made elite athlete technology availability to the not-so-elite consumer. The Natural Motion Engineering in the outsole encourages an unrestrained stride is coupled with Dynamic Fit Technology for an individualized fit in the heel, midfoot, and toebox. Basically, the newest Nike runner aims to be a custom fit stability-cushioning hybrid, made possible though the use of out of this world technology. Far out.
That’s the marketing promo, but what about the ride experience? First, a disclaimer. I am a very picky shoe wearer. Every time a pair expires I spend hours trying on countless shoes, only to leave somewhat unsatisfied with a new purchase (often the update of an old standard). I do, however, love to try on shoes and to experiment with different brands and models. I have a motley assortment of kicks in my closest, with no loyalty to any one manufacturer or shoe category. The first time I wore the LunarGlides+ I thought they were a bit stiff and unresponsive, but I now think my assessment was biased by the 50K I ran a few days before the test drive. My impression changed as my feet rebounded. As advertised, I really did feel that the shoe offered both stability and cushioning; more cushioning that I’m used to in fact. I was positively bouncing like an astronaut on the moon. I’m a midfoot striker, but I seemed to land a bit more on my forefoot in these sneakers, although I can’t pinpoint why. I typically wear a moderate stability shoe with very little cushioning, so the pillowy feeling is a nice change. I don’t think I’ve engaged the stability system yet, but Husband normally needs the control of the Nike Structure Triax and he was pleasantly surprised by the amount of support in the LunarGlides+. The shoe is appreciably lightweight, not quite as light as the Free but lighter than a standard sneaker. The shoe definitely fits wide, but most shoes are too wide for me. They do adjust to a narrow foot better than most Nike runners, which is nice. I’m not too keen on the colour selection. The dark grey could get hot in summer and the solid white is a bit boring for someone used to sneaker flash. But perhaps I could do with a little subtly. I think I will stick to my Lunar Trainers for speed work, but I would definitely wear the LunarGlide+ on a steady run. I haven’t yet attempted a tempo run in the shoe, but I will soon. However, I need to log more miles in the shoe before I will wear them on a long run. So far my evaluation is a very solid one and a half thumbs (or big toes) up. The missing half a toe is primarily due to fit – despite the adjustments available the sizing is skewed toward a medium to wide foot.
Title Reference: Elton John – Rocket Man. From the album Honkey Chateau. 1972.
Ever wanted to run the Rocky Mountain Half Marathon in Denver Colorado? Well you can and you don’t even need to leave the familiarity and convenience of your own neighbourhood. Officially rebranded as The Mile High Experience Half Marathon/Virtual Half Marathon, runners around the world raced anytime between June 5th and the live event on June 14th. It’s a brave new world, filled with satellite technology and virtual races.
Using www.mapmyrun.com each runner must plot a 13.1 mile course. You load that course into some sort of newfangled device (iPhone, Garmin, Nike+) that can track your progress. You run the route and upon completion send the data to race officials. Once race brass confirm that you crossed the “finish line”, an official time will be logged and a shirt and a medal will be sent to your home. I’m kind of meh about the idea. Kind of a cool twist taking advantage of technology many of us have come to love on one hand, but a gimmicky cash grab on the other, as virtual runners pay the same fee as the live runners. In my mind, running at the same time (or withing ten days) in no way equates to running the same race. The difficulty level, the weather conditions, and the atmosphere charged with excited runners will be impossible to replicate elsewhere, and that’s in part what makes a run a race. Many of these runners will be running at an elevation considerably lower than one mile above sea level, which hardly qualifies as the “mile high experience” advertised on their finisher’s t-shirt. Its like watching a concert online and then buying the tour t-shirt, there’s something odd about it. It’s like when I run 13.1 miles in training – I have run the half marathon distance, but not a half marathon (even if Husband greets me at the end with a shiny medal and a cookie). According to the website the virtual results will be integrated with those of the live event runners, which in the spirit of fair play in competition hardly seems sporting.
So while I like the idea in theory, in execution it seems flawed. I’d rather participate in an entirely virtual event, to be run at the same time all over the world. Nike’s 10K Human Race last summer took this approach, except runners could only participate if they used a Nike+ system to log their run. I was left behind by my iPod + shoe pod wearing comrades. For now, cringing at Wipeout is as close to virtual athletics as I’ll get.
Title Reference: John Denver – Rocky Mountain High. From the album Rocky Mountain High. 1972.
A Nike sponsored short with nary a running shoe in sight. They are really taking this run supernatural campaign seriously.
Although I jest about the double meaning of LSD (runner speak for long slow distance), this potato-headed man’s run is a real trip. His idyllic jaunt, punctuated with relatable moments of discomfort, captures all that running can be. In the words of James Jarvis (the director), “The film was inspired by certain personal experiences in running – a favourite run over Blanchland moor in Northumberland, being attacked by a crow in Singapore – and also by the transcendent, almost psychedelic experience of the simple act of running. Rather than a marketing project initiated by Nike, the film was something proposed and produced by myself, and as such I hope represents a much more equal collaboration with a brand.” This is running at its simplest. At its purest.
Nike Presents Onwards – Directed by James Jarvis
In early spring, snow still on the ground, I see people running in short-shorts and a singlet. I think to myself, if that’s what they are wearing now, what do they wear in the high heat of summer? Bum huggers and midriffs? That’s fine for elite racers, but mere mortal runners follow a different dress code. There is only so much one can remove in polite society. Or so I thought. Perhaps I am limited by my North American prudishness. Perhaps we should just let it all hang out.
Bear Butte Running Camp Philosophy:
At Bear Butte Running Camp, we take a less-is-more approach to training. We strip away the boundaries and comforts of modern society in order to embrace the inherent benefits of natural running, and use those benefits to become faster, stronger, better athletes. Camp attendees will receive group and individual instruction in all facets of distance training and racing, with emphasis on gradually improving performance through motivation, hard work and natural motion. To enhance personal and athletic growth, campers must be willing to shed, at least while at Bear Butte, urban conveniences not found in the great outdoors (i.e., cellphones, television, mp3 players, shorts).
Ouch. And I thought I was Zen by leaving my Garmin at home.
A few years ago Nike came up with a brilliant marketing hook for the Nike+ system: The PowerSong. It’s that one song that will give you a boost when you need it the most (like when you are running, or shuffle-running as the case may be, into the metaphorical wall).
According to The Nike Running Blog, these are the 10 most popular PowerSongs:
1. Eye of the Tiger
2. Pump it
3. Here it Goes Again
4. Lose Yourself
5. Stronger
6. Till I Collapse
7. SexyBack
8. Remember the Name
9. Gonna Fly Now
10. Move Along
I admit it, #4 is MY PowerSong. I used to call it my Boston Qualifying Song. Now I call it my Survive Boston Song. When my mind is at war with itself (stop, don’t stop, stop, don’t stop, stop and I mean it, no – never) nothing gets me on pace again like Lose Yourself. The words speak to me and I listen.
Truly, does it get much more motivating than this?
So here I go it’s my shot.
Feet fail me not,
Cause this may be the only opportunity that I got.
You need to pick and choose a little, but the lyrics are surprisingly appropriate for marathoning. The words and the escalating tempo go straight to that motivation centre of my brain.
Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted – One moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?
…
You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo
Title Reference: Eminem – Lose Yourself. From the soundtrack 8 Mile. 2002.
The “athletic” division of my wardrobe is rapidly engulfing my entire closet. I have nicer work out clothes than I do clothes I wear out to work. It’s a casual job environment, but still, a trip to BCBG is probably (definitely) overdue. To get there though, I walk past Lululemon and Nike. I seldom make it any farther.
Laundry day (otherwise known as the day I run out of gear and am desperately trying to avoid wearing a one-size-doesn’t-fit-all race shirt) requires a science degree. Those high-tech anti-sweat, anti-smell, anti-jiggle, vitamin-infused fabrics can only touch like-fabrics, must be washed with special detergents, and set in the spin cycle for an optimal amount of time, at an optimal spin velocity, at the optimal temperature. The wash n’ go setting is a risk I’m not willing to take. Performance tech is the Goldilocks of fabrics. I don’t want to sacrifice that magnificent wicking power because I absentmindedly used fabric softener.
In one week my athletic laundry alone would rival the total dirty output from a family of four, two of whom are small messy children. Because of the sheer volume of dirty clothing I occasionally blur the lines between “clean” and “dirty”. If I don’t sweat I can rewear those running tights, right? Not the delicate next to the body base-layering stuff, I mean I do have a line (blurry as it is), but those outer layers can be extended. Um, right? Over-washing can damage my beloved super-fabrics and shorten the lifespan of the make-my-butt-look-good tights. I don’t actually know if that’s true, but over-washing sounds like a reasonable excuse. Those make-my-butt-look-good tights need, NEED, to last forever. So consider yourself warned – if it looks like I wore it yesterday, adjust your proximity to me as required.
Title Reference: Roxette – Dressed for Success. From the album Look Sharp. 1988.
Posted in Running Tids & Bits, The Gear Junkie
My Running Shorts: short stories about my life on the run.
